This chapter discusses Lacy's art projects performed among collaborative networks in the troubled communities of Oakland, California and Medellín, Colombia, with the express purpose of exploring ...
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This chapter discusses Lacy's art projects performed among collaborative networks in the troubled communities of Oakland, California and Medellín, Colombia, with the express purpose of exploring alternatives to violence. Both areas have notoriously high crime rates—making them the ideal venues upon which to develop awareness and understanding between teenagers and authority figures. Lacy's emphasis on crossing boundaries come alive in performances and artistic spaces created to encourage teenage and adult participants to think, act, and thus perceive new ways of looking at the “other.” New configurations of human relationships can come about with an awareness of patterns and habits; and it is this practice of awareness—conscious attention—and vigilance in recalibrating one's thinking and perspectives, that can keep one from falling into the destructive norms and habits engendered by predictability.Less

Teens and Violence

Sharon Irish

Published in print: 2010-03-05

This chapter discusses Lacy's art projects performed among collaborative networks in the troubled communities of Oakland, California and Medellín, Colombia, with the express purpose of exploring alternatives to violence. Both areas have notoriously high crime rates—making them the ideal venues upon which to develop awareness and understanding between teenagers and authority figures. Lacy's emphasis on crossing boundaries come alive in performances and artistic spaces created to encourage teenage and adult participants to think, act, and thus perceive new ways of looking at the “other.” New configurations of human relationships can come about with an awareness of patterns and habits; and it is this practice of awareness—conscious attention—and vigilance in recalibrating one's thinking and perspectives, that can keep one from falling into the destructive norms and habits engendered by predictability.